About 50 companies, ranging from casino operators to funeral home chains, discussed their plans and finances in hopes of enticing investors to buy their stock. Those making presentations included Bell & Howell Co., Morrison Inc., Florida Steel Corp. and Warner Communications Inc.

Stock prices, sales and profits of the participating companies are likely to increase, according to analysts at Raymond, James, a regional brokerage based in St. Petersburg. Raymond, James analysts tend to research smaller, lesser-known companies, most of which have operations in the Southeast.

The brokerage conducts investment seminars annually to provide a setting for its clients -- the investors -- to meet with the top officials of companies. Investors attending the conference recently represented institutions such as banks, insurance companies, mutual funds and pensions funds. Investors also included money managers from the Florida State Board of Administration and the American Bible Society in New York.

One investor, George Kottler of Steinberg Partnership in Miami, said the Raymond, James seminars help him learn about progressive, interesting corporations. ''It's a good opportunity to pick up some good investment ideas.''

The following were among companies presenting themselves as investment ideas.

-- Claire's Stores Inc., a Miami-based retailer of inexpensive costume jewelry, plans to have 700 to 800 stores by 1990, said company treasurer John Boyers. Currently, with 351 stores, Claire's is represented in about 14 percent of the nation's 2,500 malls, Boyers estimated. ''There's plenty of room to grow.''

Claire's is increasing its presence in Florida to 14 locations after having recently opened stores in Pensacola and Orlando. The retailer has not restricted expansion despite some recent setbacks, which include the departure of two top officials.

Poor management of inventory slowed growth of sales and profits during the last half of 1985, Boyer said. Supplies of jewelry, purses and other accessories were too big and the leftover merchandise had to be sold at discount, he explained.

-- Dixon Ticonderoga Co., a pencil and crayon manufacturer based in Vero Beach, is restructuring its business and recovering from recent profit decreases, said company president Gino Pala.

The pending sale of its bus company, restaurant and some real estate will enable Dixon Ticonderoga to reduce its debt, Pala said. Once rid of those operations, the company will concentrate on making and selling its Ticonderoga pencils and Prang crayons.

For many years, businesses have been steady customers for the pencils and schools have been steady customers for the crayons. As part of a major change that occurred last year, Dixon Ticonderoga is selling pencils and crayons to individual consumers through retailers such as K mart, Toys R Us and Walgreens.

-- Greenman Brothers Inc., a toy distributor and retailer based in Farmingdale, N.Y., is expanding in Florida.

Last week, the company opened a Circus World toy store in Orlando. Within two months, the company will acquire five Harry's Kidsworld stores in Melbourne, Vero Beach, Stuart, Boynton Beach and West Palm Beach.

Five years ago, Greenman Brothers was plodding along as a respectably profitable toy wholesaler that dabbled in retail, according to Raymond, James analyst Richard Lilly. After acquiring Playland toy stores in 1982 and Circus World stores in 1985, Greenman Brothers laid the foundation to become a national retail chain, Lilly said.

Retail sales now account for about half of the company's revenue, up from 20 percent in 1983. Retail operations should enhance Greenman's profits, according to Lilly.

-- Knight-Ridder Newspapers Inc., a media company based in Miami, should increase its profit this year, according to P. Anthony Ridder, president of the company's newspaper division.

A 46-day strike last year at The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Philadelphia Daily News slowed the company's financial growth, Ridder said. New labor contracts in Philadelphia will result in productivity improvements and profit increases, Ridder predicted.

A soft economy in South Florida hurt The Miami Herald, he said. Miami's economy used to receive a boost from Latin American tourists and then suffered when they reduced their travels, he said. Only recently have European tourists begun to fill the void, he said.

Knight-Ridder expects to post record revenue and profit in 1986, said Robert Singleton, a senior vice president of finance. ''As far as acquisitions are concerned, in one way I'd prefer not to make acquisitions and work at reducing our debt,'' Singleton said. ''On the other hand, you must take your pie while it's coming around the table.''